[1] Herb McKenley won Jamaica's first medal in the men's 100 metres with his silver, while McDonald Bailey's bronze put Great Britain on the podium for the first time since 1928.

None of the medalists from 1948 returned, but sixth-place finisher McDonald Bailey (who had recently tied the world record) did.

Other notable entrants were American Art Bragg (who pulled his hamstring before the semifinal) and Jamaican Herb McKenley, who were favorites along with Bailey.

[2] Bulgaria, Ghana, Guatemala, Israel, Nigeria, the Soviet Union, Thailand, and Venezuela were represented in the event for the first time.

The United States was the only nation to have appeared at each of the first twelve Olympic men's 100 metres events.